what is neutralisation ?

Acids react with a base to form salt and water.

Acid                 +      Base    →         Salt         +           Water

In this reaction, an acid and a base neutralise each other’s effect. So, the reaction between an acid and a base to form salt and water is called neutralisation reaction.

For example:

1. Hydrochloric acid reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium chloride and water. Sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid neutralise each other to form sodium chloride, a neutral salt.

HCl              +      NaOH    →         NaCl        +           H2O

 

1. Sodium hydroxide also reacts with nitric acid to form sodium nitrate and water.

HNO3           +      NaOH    →         NaNO3       +           H2O